Anti-privatization group barred from FDR library. Welcome to BushWorld!

[Mugsy]

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A28299-2005Apr5.html

FDR Library Blocks Social Security Forum
Lack of Pro-Accounts Speakers Is Cited

By Dana Milbank
Washington Post Staff Writer
Wednesday, April 6, 2005; Page A17

To the already raucous fight over Social Security, add a new -- and unlikely -- government agency: the National Archives and Records Administration.

The guardian of the nation's historical records has joined the fray over President Bush's plan for private Social Security accounts. Last week, it blocked a coalition of women's organizations from holding a Social Security forum at the Franklin D. Roosevelt Library in Hyde Park, N.Y., because the groups oppose Bush's proposed personal accounts.

"If you cannot provide at least one speaker who will speak on the features and merits of the administration's plan for Social Security, then I must ask that you find another venue for your program," the library's director, Cynthia M. Koch, wrote on March 31 to one of the groups sponsoring the forum. The library at the home of FDR -- who fathered the Social Security system 70 years ago -- is administered by the National Archives.

Wrote Koch: "Changes to the Social Security system are now the president's highest priority on his domestic agenda in Congress; therefore, in order to be in compliance with the Hatch Act, I must require you to present a program that is balanced in presenting both sides of the Social Security debate."

EDITED BY ADMIN: COPYRIGHT
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So I suppose if Bush came out in favor of animal cruelty, the ASPCA would be required to include a "pro animal cruelty" speaker at its meetings??? Incredible!

[Zuni]

1. So when are david Irving and Ernst Zundel going to be at the Holocaust

Museum?

Does the Holocaust have to have a proponent and denier view of it?

[Skinner]

2. What the heck?

FDR is spinning in his grave.

[Skinner]

4. Apparently their justification is crap.

The Hatch Act doesn't forbid this.

From the article:

Wrote Koch: "Changes to the Social Security system are now the president's highest priority on his domestic agenda in Congress; therefore, in order to be in compliance with the Hatch Act, I must require you to present a program that is balanced in presenting both sides of the Social Security debate."

Koch said the forum would be against federal regulations because it "may be perceived as being partisan."

A spokeswoman for the Office of Special Counsel, which enforces the Hatch Act, said it is not at issue because the groups' meeting on Social Security, a topic of public policy, "does not seem to involve a partisan campaign or activity. "

[frictionlessO]

20. Wow! Excellent find Skinner, thanks!

So WTF is Koch up to then???

[freedom_to_read]

3. Anyone know what the Hatch act is?

[Skinner]

7. From the article

The Hatch Act restricts partisan activities by government employees; it says federal buildings cannot be used for "campaign activities," defined as those promoting a political party, a political group or a candidate for partisan political office. The act does not prohibit policy-related activities.

[izzybeans]

18. That pretty much shuts down congress and the WH Press office then. n/t

[Mugsy]

14. Spirit of the law was missed.

The point of the Hatch Act was to bar Federal Employees from benefiting from the use of Government Facilities for campaign purposes.

But it was corrupted to mean "no partisan events in government buildings".

Ask yourself this: Why did we suddenly need this law after 218 years?

[grumpy old fart]

5. Besides, THE PRESIDENT DOESN'T HAVE A PLAN.....sheesh

He keeps saying so himself....

[Mizmoon]

6. It is possible that the library director was just mistaken

and thought that she was simply complying with the law. I imagine the last thing she wanted was the freepers attacking the library because it was "used for partisan purposes". Now she's got the left coming after her instead.

At least the Archivist made it right. They haven't tried to stick to the initial reasoning.

BTW - I love how the National Archivist is a male when 95% of librarians are female.

[FourStarDemocrat]

8. Frightening stuff...Bush is tearing apart the fabric of this country..

And good point about the ASPCA.

[Mugsy]

9. Bush doesn't follow own rule. Surprise!

From further down the same article:

"In keeping with the Bush administration's determination to quash anyone who disagrees with them, federal agencies now consider it 'partisan' to hold any opinion that is not identical to the president's," the group said in a statement. It pointed out that yesterday, Bush promoted his plan at a federal facility -- the Bureau of Public Debt in West Virginia -- without giving time to anybody opposed to personal accounts.

[Cooley Hurd]

10. Does anyone know how to get in touch with Jimmy Roosevelt Jr?

Although I think FDR's descendants have little say over the activities of the Library, I would hope he'd at least go on record about how UN-AMERICAN this is!!!!

[FourStarDemocrat]

17. Al Franken had him on his show a month ago, try calling air america...

or emailing Al's show.

[Cooley Hurd]

19. Good advice - thank you!

:thumbsup:

[annabanana]

11. THIS I find chilling....

When the use of libraries is being barred by political "gatekeepers" just what kind of tattered shreds have our much vaunted "freedoms" become?
:scared:

[ohtransplant]

12. This group should sue

if only to give the director's ridiculous reply a higher profile. This is one that should be kept in the air.

Her reference to the Hatch act only shows her ignorance of the Hatch act.

* is the one who probably violated the act in WV!

[blueheeler]

13. This is coming from the same administration....

....that is pushing the subject on the road to hand picked audiences and kicking out people because of partisonship!!!:banghead:

[Just Me]

15. OMFG!!! What is WRONG with these people?!?!?!!

I swear I have never seen so much anti-democracy behavior!!! It makes me so sad and so angry!!! :grr:

[gordianot]

16. So how would the Hatch Act apply to having Rush on Armed Forces Radio?

Enlightening